1

"I heard that she has a trace of werewolf blood but she has no wolf, unlike her mother, Luna, and her father, a Lycan king. Imagine being the sole heir and inheriting nothing from such a powerful bloodline."

"I've heard the same. Even the omegas from her father's pack, the lowest of the lowest, don't bother to show her any respect. She just came from a household name, nothing more. The Lopez legacy is falling, a fading echo since the pack's leader just died, and Luna disappeared long ago."

Zaria bowed her head, a cascade of raven-black hair concealing the agony etched across her face.

Since her father, the once-regal Lycan King of Colmar was gone, Zaria had to survive a world that now regarded her as an unwanted werewolf.

She trudged along the pavement, her steps heavy with grief and the burden of the rumors. It’s like they really wanted her to hear them talking and they were not even trying to hide it from her.

What they were saying was true though. She doesn’t have a wolf despite having a very powerful father who is a Lycan King, and an undeniably strong Luna as her mother.

It was a mystery even to her family. Having blood from a Lycan King, she was bound to be one of the most powerful werewolves of her generation and yet she doesn’t even have a wolf. She was weak. Even a lowly omega can be considered stronger than her.

"Maybe there's darkness in her, something that killed even her powerful father. A cursed werewolf, they say. Cunning. Dangerous."

Her lips quiver at that. How can they think that her father’s death was due to a curse associated with her? How can they be so cruel? The disdainful looks from everyone cut through her like shards of glass.

She was walking with her gaze focused on the ground when she almost bumped into an old woman with a young man possibly her age greeted before her.

And then, as if she had a disease that could kill anyone near her, the older woman pulled her son away from her.

“Stay away from that cursed woman! Don’t even try to befriend her. She’ll bring a curse to our family like how she brought the death of her entire family,” the old woman hisses, her eyes screaming dagger to her mere existence.

“Luna or not, she brings doom. No one should come near her, lest they be tainted too.”

“I am just glad she is not part of our pack or we will be cursed too,”

"No, it's not true!"Zaria tried to shut out the relentless whispers, a futile attempt to shield herself from the cruelty of those who once feigned courtesy towards her as the Lycan King’s daughter. They were trying to act civil to her before all because of her powerful father. And now that he is gone, they have no one to fear now.

As she approached Lucius's mansion, she couldn’t help but whisper to herself.

"It's alright, Zaria. Lucius is alpha now. They'll stop their bullying when you're already his Luna. They won't dare speak against you, won't lay a hand on you. Fear will keep them in check."

She clung to those words, a fragile lifeline she was desperately trying to hold on to. Each step towards the mansion felt like a marathon. The weight of her impending marriage was the only shield she was holding against all the misfortunes that she was experiencing.

Lucius was the newly elected alpha of their pack up due to her. Though Lucius is not a Lycan King like her father, as an alpha of a very powerful pack, she is sure that being with them will keep her safe.

And Lucius had always assured her of their future. He promised her that they would be together as they would lead their pack with her being his Luna.

"Breathe, Zaria. Everything will be okay after this." But the reassurance felt hollow.

"Ma'am?" The housemaid, who seemed so shocked upon her arrival, blocked her way as soon as she went into the mansion of the Carters.

Zaria raised her eyebrows at the action of the maid before her. She had never been treated like this in this mansion before.

"Alpha Lucius has strictly told me not to welcome any visitors at the moment, ma'am," the housemaid said in a panicked voice.

She thought it was weird. She was not just some visitor. She wanted to say that, but she decided otherwise.

"Allow me a moment to speak with him. I must discuss the arrangements for my father's funeral," Zaria voiced, her tone heavy with sorrow. She moved purposefully towards the staircase.

"But ma'am," the housemaid attempted to intervene, her anxiety apparent.

Zaria turned, fixing the maid with an intense stare that silenced the already paled housemaid instantly. The housemaid fell back, trailing behind Zaria with a worried expression. Zaria noticed her appearance but remained indifferent.

At that moment, all she yearned for was a comforting presence, a shoulder to lean upon. She needed Lucius more than anything at this point.

However, as she ascended, she heard soft moans-sounds strikingly familiar. Her heart started hammering against her chest, and several thoughts started bugging her mind. As her stomach churned with all the emotions that were starting to build up within her, all she could do was move forwards despite her growing fear.

She pushed the door open, and immediately, an indecent scene invaded her senses.

There, on the bed, was her fiancé, his back to her, engaged in a rough, intimate act with her best friend!

"Harder, dear! Fuck me harder, please!" Her best friend yelled and with her lust with so much ecstasy that Zaria wanted to puke at the very sight of them.

In front of her, Lucius rammed himself inside of Arina, both lost in forbidden ecstasy . She never thought she would ever witness. And it was as if her soul left her body as a soft whimper escaped her lips.

“No…” Zaria whispered; her voice laced with so much pain and sorrow at the very scene in front of her.

"Oh shit! Zaria, what are you doing here?!" Lucius cursed, his eyes widened.

Arina, sensing the gravity of the situation, quickly grabbed the bedsheet to cover herself. However, the victorious twitch at the corner of Arina’s lips didn’t escape Zaria’s notice.

"What... what is the meaning of this, Lucius?" Her voice thundered, a sound of betrayal and heartbreak echoing in every word.

Tears traced down her cheeks, and her gaze flicked between the two culprits with a mixture of disdain and disbelief.

“Just what the fuck is this?” she couldn’t help but utter. She was just so lost that her mind was in a daze at this point. Everything that was happening was just too much to take in and all she wanted to do was explode.

"My father just died, Lucius. I was mourning, hurting, and in pain, and instead of comforting me, here you are, fucking my best friend?" her voice cracked as she could feel her throat clenching. It was like there was a huge ball stuck in it and she could barely breathe.

Even just saying those words makes her want to puke. The revelation of Lucius's infidelity felt like a blade thrust into her heart, draining her sanity with every beat.

Lucius fumbled with his sweatpants, while Arina, the supposed best friend, leaned against the bed's headrest, arms crossed, unapologetic in this betrayal.

"Zaria, I was just about to tell you that... I am planning to make Arina my new fiancée," Lucius stammered, his voice wavering with insincere remorse.

“What?” Zaria's voice cracked. "What do you mean you're going to make her your fiancée? I am your fiancée, Lucius!" The absurdity of the situation left her dumbfounded. This was like a nightmare for her and everything was slowly crashing in front of her.

As Lucius attempted to reach for her, Zaria lifted her hand, a forceful signal for him to stop.

Lucius sighs, defeated. He knows that there’s no point in lying right now.

"I can't choose you, Zaria. You have no wolf. You cannot be my Luna," Lucius declared, "In your current state, you are nothing more than omega, and it's a downgrade to our family if I settle for an omega like you."

Zaria's world crumbled. She hadn't even begun to recover from the loss of her family, and now she was reduced to a lowly omega, undeserving of love and companionship.

"So, did you only stay with me because my father was a Lycan King? Tell me, did you even love me, Lucius?" She looked at him with a pained expression on her face. Lucius kept silent. Pity gleamed in his eyes, a pitiful acknowledgment of the devastation he had caused.

Tears streamed down Zaria's cheeks despite how much she tried to stop herself from further breaking down. She turned her gaze to Arina, who smirked and casually brushed her disheveled hair, relishing every moment of the dirty deed they were into just before she came.

“Well, damn the two of you. You can both rot in hell,” Zaria cursed, summoning every ounce of strength to turn her back and leave.

As she approached the gates of the mansion, Lucius yanked her arm, causing her to falter. His grip was a vise, her knees buckling from physical and emotional pain.

“Shit! I’m sorry, baby! I didn’t mean to—” Lucius began, but Zaria cut him off, pulling her arm away. “Don’t touch me! How dare you touch me with those filthy hands of yours!” Her screech echoed the betrayal etched into her soul.

Turning her gaze to Lucius, she laughed sarcastically. “And really? Baby? You still have the guts to call me that after moaning Arina’s name so loudly in the same room where you first expressed your feelings for me?”

Lucius gulped, stammering apologies, but Zaria had heard enough. She left, leaving behind the ruins of her shattered heart.

"Fuck all of them!" Zaria cursed, drowning her sorrows in alcohol at a bar, the bitterness of betrayal lingering on her lips. Her descent into drunkenness blurred the line between control and chaos.

Leaving the stool behind, she staggered to the dance floor, where a man with intense green eyes watched her with predatory intent. His gaze bore into her, a hawk ready to swoop down.

Damn! How can someone’s eyes be that beautiful?

For some reason, something inside her started feeling different. Something about those green eyes felt like hypnotizing, urging her to come to him.

She abandoned reason, confidence surging as she approached him, the memory of Lucius's betrayal fueling her reckless state. The man pulled her close, his scent overpowering, a force she hadn't encountered before.

"Your name?" he whispered against her ear, the raspy timbre igniting a fire within her.

Instead of answering his question, she lets her judgment be clouded by lust, and all of her negative emotions start to rule over her sanity.

"Fuck me," she murmured, her body responding to his touch.

The man chuckled, "that's a good name." He whisked her away from the bar with mere thought.

In the hazy aftermath, Zaria found herself on a soft mattress, her moans filled the air as his lips reached the center of her softness, his tongue flickering continuously.

She didn't regret the night; she wanted to forget everything, especially the image of Lucius with Arina.

However, the next day, Zaria cried in shock when she saw the mess they made. "Oh, shit!"

She had to run!

2

"And who is this woman, Leon? Is she really that important?" Gio, Leon Arscott’s beta, curiously asked.

He had always addressed their Lycan King by his first name, a habit that took Gio a long time to get used to, thanks to Leon Arscott himself forcing him into it.

Chills ran down his spine as he could feel the coldness emanating from Leon. They were inside the Lycan King’s office, situated within one of his manors.

Serving as his beta for years, Gio had grown accustomed to the chilling aura that Leon projected. There were moments when it was overpowering even for a strong beta like him, but Leon could easily control the intensity of his own aura though sometimes he slips, especially when he is out of control or lost in deep thought.

Truth be told, his aura was more than enough to kill a very lowly omega. His aura itself was like a weapon he could easily manipulate to take control of his enemies and even the wolves under his command.

Gio could see how their Lycan King was currently lost in his own thoughts as he was seated on his swivel chair in the middle of his office.

Hearing his beta’s question, Leon had a grim expression showing on his face. He could still vividly remember how frustration engulfed him after waking up and discovering that the woman he had a one-night stand with was already gone.

With a deep breath, he tilted his head for a second before he lowly uttered, "My woman,"

On the other hand, Gio was surprised to hear those words coming from Leon.

The Arscott clan was very mysterious, known to only the most powerful packs and clans. Ordinary wolves might have heard rumors about them, but they were so elusive that many believed the Arscott clan to be nothing more than a legend crafted by the elders to instill fear in werewolf packs.

But of course, the alphas of every pack knew of them. The Arscott clan was masked in menace, ruthlessness, and a cold aura that made alphas shudder at the mere thought of encountering them.

"Whoa, a woman dared to run away from our Lycan King? She must be something else,"

This comment fueled Leon’s frustration even more. As an Arscott, it had always been effortless for him to have any woman he desired. The mysterious nature of their clan meant they didn't reveal themselves to the public often, but the fear of the Arscott clan was deeply ingrained in those who feared power.

"Stop asking so many questions. Just investigate and find her. I want her back," he hissed.

Gio laughed. He found it amusing how Leon Arscott, the powerful Lycan king from the mysterious Arscott clan, looked a little too desperate to find a woman. It wasn't a sight anyone who knew him would expect.

"Hmm... looks like the woman dodged a bullet by running away, I guess?" Gio tried taunting him.

Leon arched his brow; the coldness of his aura intensified and Gio almost regretted taunting him.

"Find her, or I'll break your neck if you don't stop pissing me off."

Meanwhile, Zaria knew that what happened was just a one-night stand, and she had no plans of getting into a serious commitment after being cheated on.

But there was something about the man... He was intense, and his scent was stronger than Lucius, whom she thought was the most powerful alpha in Colmar right now.

“How could someone exceed Lucius? And who is he? He wasn't familiar at all.” She couldn’t help but ask herself.

As soon as she went home, the first thing that welcomed her was Arina, dressed in royal blue with her hair in an uptight ponytail. Arina crossed her arms and looked at Zaria with a meaningful gaze.

Zaria gritted her teeth, thinking that Arina had the audacity to show her face after what she had done.

"You've got the nerve to show up after sleeping with my fiancé," she fired in a controlled rage.

Arina raised her eyebrow, a wicked smile showing on her face. "Let's clear things out, Zaria. Lucius chose me purposefully. You're no good to him anymore, now that it's known you're just an omega and can't contribute anything to the Carters Pack."

Zaria seethed with anger, but she knew that violence was never a solution to end an argument.

“What leaves you then? An option? The second choice? It’s funny how you stand up in front of me feeling so proud about that fact,” Zaria pulled a smug look on her face, wanting to break the confidence that Arina had. And she knows that her words affect her.

Zaria took a step forward, a taunting smile showing on her face. “If I were you, I’d feel so embarrassed. Imagine being a replacement Luna all because the original one doesn’t have a wolf. It means anyone can replace me and that you are nothing special. It’s just that you were so low enough to throw yourself to my fiancé!” she laughed sarcastically.

Arina's jaw clenched, her arms hooking into each other, and her eyes gleamed with wrath. "How dare you?!"

"Why? It's the truth. You're a cunning person who clings to my fiancé because you were so thirsty for him. Fine, go ahead. He's all yours. You two are good for each other since you're both trash."

Zaria’s words were cut off as she slammed against the wall when Arina used force on her. She felt bones in her body breaking, pain surging through her as if she had been hit by a truck.

Arina was a Luna and with a wolf. Compared to her, Arina was definitely stronger.

The fact that Zaria had no wolf was no secret to anyone in town. When Arina picked her up and threw her against the wall again, she groaned as she hit her head, feeling dizzy.

"You're despicable! What are you proud of, Zaria? You're nothing but an omega! Everyone knows you're cursed and the weakest werewolf here! Without your parents, you wouldn't even be known as part of the Lopez because of how weak you are!" Arina shouted, picking her up again and throwing her, slamming Zaria into the wall once more.

Zaria coughed, blood splashing out of her mouth, wincing in pain.

"Do you even know why I befriended you? It was all because you are a Lopez! I never wanted you from the start! But because your father and your mother were the strongest among the pack, among the werewolves, I needed to pretend that I like you when you are nothing but a bitch!"

Zaria chuckled. "A bitch? Look who's talking?"

Arina was pure livid as she unleashed her full force, beating Zaria until she lost consciousness. Besides the anger, there was a trace of fear that Zaria might reveal her secret relationship with Lucius, especially since everyone knew he was supposed to marry Zaria. Arina didn't want her name tarnished before Lucius officially announced her as his new fiancée.

With the pristine reputation of the Levine household, Arina couldn't afford to have Zaria ruin her name.

Stressed and fearful of the consequences, Arina hastily tied Zaria and concealed her in the basement while she remained unconscious.

Arina left the location swiftly to avoid drawing attention. Given Zaria's weakened state and knowing that she had no wolf, Arina was confident that she wouldn't be able to escape the basement quickly.

When Zaria slowly woke up and noticed the darkness of the basement, as she felt she was tied as well, she winced in pain as she felt how her body was completely sore because of being beaten up by Arina, who was desperate to silence her.

“Fuck that stupid bitch,” Zaria whispered to herself. Since she had no wolf and she was very weak, it was hard for her to heal herself, unlike normal werewolves. It’s something that she hates about herself.

And maybe Arina had been too careless, underestimating Zaria too much that she didn’t even bother tying her strongly.

Zaria used her remaining energy to free herself, despite the struggle. It took her more than an hour to release herself and she could feel the stinging sensation around her wrists.

Her stomach grumbled, but it was her last priority as she wanted to escape from the threat.

Finally breaking free, Zaria wasted no time. She fled and each step was a stride toward her survival. In this desperate moment, she had no one to rely on but herself.

A bitter smile escaped her lips as she reminisced about her parents.

"Father, if you were still alive, I'm sure they wouldn’t even dare to lay a finger on even a strand of my hair," she whispered, bitterness lacing her words.

Zaria felt an overwhelming urge to cry. Weak and alone, she kept running because she wanted to live.

At one point, she sought refuge in an unfamiliar lounge, desperate for a place that couldn't be traced. The pain engulfing her was so extreme that, before she could find something to eat, she collapsed. And unbeknownst to her, a familiar set of green eyes had been watching her since she entered.

"You really found your way back to me, huh?" Leon said, crouching down as he noticed the unconscious woman.

He observed the scars and bruises on her body, prompting him to carry her to his room. Leon ordered the housemaid to clean and treat her wounds.

His hands balled into fists as anger surged within him. The image of Zaria now, covered in bruises, was a stark contrast to the one he had when he first met her. Struggling to control his rage, the colors of Leon’s eyes flickered, causing the housemaid to back away in fear.

Leon growled before leaving the room, concerned that his anger might affect her while she slept.

“Any news?” Leon asked as he found Gio who just arrived.

“She was the ex-fiancée of the newly elected alpha of the Carter’s Pack,” Gio reported to him. Careful with his words, Gio sensed the wrath Leon was trying to control.

“Ex?”

Gio gulped, aware of Leon’s still-flickering eyes. The intensity of the Lycan King’s aura was palpable throughout the household.

“Yes. She was the daughter of the late James Lopez, the Lycan King. They haven’t announced it yet, but it looks like the Carter’s pack decided to make the Levine’s daughter the new Luna instead of her.”

A low growl escaped his lips and Gio took a step backwards.

“So, they did that to her…” Leon whispered. He cracked his neck, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes as he tried to control his temper. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to pay the new alpha a visit.”

And in a blink of an eye, Gio watched as their Lycan King disappeared. As soon as this happened, Gio fell on his knees as he wasn’t prepared for the intensity of power Leon had released before he was gone.

“Fuck,” he whispered.

Now, he felt sorry for the new alpha, hoping that Leon would at least calm down before reaching Carter’s household.

3

"Alpha Lucius, someone was looking for you. He said it’s important," Lucius looked up from the papers scattered across his desk as one of the housemaids delivered the message. His mind, preoccupied with thoughts of Zaria since her abrupt departure, struggled to focus on the present.

He didn’t bother looking for her. Zaria had always been dependent on him. She must have been surprised by what happened but he’s convinced that she would return on her own. She always does.

And the fact that she has no one but him now, Zaria would surely return and beg for him to take her back. Just thinking about that makes him smile in his thoughts.

His attention shifted as he noticed the tension in the housemaid's expression. Raising an eyebrow, Lucius inquired, "I am not expecting anyone, especially at this hour. And why do you look so alarmed?"

The housemaid, visibly uneasy, bowed her head before speaking. "I really think you need to go downstairs, Alpha. He said he’s an Arscott. He said his name was Leon,"

Lucius felt a jolt of surprise. An Arscott seeking him out was no ordinary occurrence. The Arscott’s, especially Leon, the feared Lycan King from a mysterious clan, were known for their rare appearances and rumored extraordinary power surpassing even existing alphas.

Without fully realizing it, Lucius found himself rushing downstairs, the weight of the situation sinking in.

As he approached, Lucius sensed an overwhelming aura that preceded Leon Arscott. The very air seemed to vibrate with power, and Lucius couldn't shake the feeling that this meeting held great significance.

Facing the Lycan King, Lucius couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion.

Why would a werewolf of such immense power seek him out?

While Lucius had recently assumed the role of alpha in his pack, he had never heard of any connection between the Arscotts and their pack. The unexpected visit left Lucius grappling with questions, and an air of uncertainty hung over the encounter.

“Leon Arscott?” He asked, weighing his reaction. He had never seen him before but judging by the aura that he was feeling, there’s no doubt that it was indeed him.

“She’s with me and I am taking her away,” Leon didn’t hesitate to say. His voice was so low and heavy that Lucius felt another surge of chills running through his body. And his eyes, they were green but something about their glow made him feel nervous.

Lucius was a bit confused. “Who are you talking about?”

Leon Arscott looked at him with so little interest, like Lucius’s presence was nothing to him.

“Zaria Lopez. She is now under my protection. If you touch her, our clan will clash. So don’t ever lay a finger on her, or else…blood will flood in your own territory.”

And just like that, Leon disappeared in front of him as if he rode on the gush of the wind, and one of the housemaids who was standing a few meters away from them gasped in both fear and surprise.

Lucius was momentarily lost in his own thoughts as everything that had happened slowly sank into him.

He was consumed by pure fury when he realized Leon's determination to pursue Zaria. He felt intense anger, driving him to the brink because someone else was interested in the woman he had just rejected.

It bruised his ego to think that Leon possessed a greater power than his own, intensifying his agitation.

There was so little about Leon Arscott that Lucius knows as the werewolves from that clan are known to be so mysterious. Everything he knows about them is from rumors.

Heck, even the fact that Leon Arscott visited him personally was such a surprise to him. All he knows from the rumors surrounding the Arscotts is that the Lycan King has never been interested in women, as he was only invested in the family's important businesses; nothing comes before it. Knowing that the Arscott personally went to him to keep Zaria, irked Lucius so much.

Lucius hit the wall in so much anger that the maids were all afraid.

“He thinks he can get Zaria just like that? Zaria is mine. Just because they are known to be powerful doesn’t mean that they can have their ways in Colmar. The town of Colmar is now under the powers of the Carters...”

So, that very same night, Lucius sent someone into Leon's place to get the woman, despite knowing how dangerous the rumors about the Arscotts were.

Lucius laughed inside his room. For sure it would be easy to just replace Zaria with another woman. Zaria is just an omega. The Arscott wouldn’t be bothered by her.

However, at the back of his mind, he could remember the words Leon had uttered to him before he left.

“Oh, my God!” the loud screaming of the maids echoed within the household of the Carters the next morning so Lucius quickly rushed outside.

And to see him early in the morning, in front of his house, with the head of the man Lucius sent into, as he tossed it into his feet, made Lucius freeze.

Leon’s steps are heavy like every step he takes is a heavy rush of the wind that sends shivers down the spine of everyone who sees him. And Lucius knows everyone around the house could feel the power of the aura he was releasing at this very moment.

The maids were screaming, terrified at the view before them.

Lucius attempted to move, but before he could react, he found himself forcefully pinned against the wall. The groan escaped him as he struggled to maintain contact with the ground, his feet barely touching the floor. A sharp intake of breath became a struggle as Leon's left hand tightened around his throat, causing him to rise slightly, gasping for air.

He could feel the intensity coming from him and he couldn’t help but feel so afraid.

"My words were clear, Carter. I am not giving you an option. You have no choice but to agree with what I said, so leave the woman alone. This is my last warning. Piss me off and watch me annihilate the very pack you were starting to lead," Leon snapped.

Lucius underestimated Leon. But to taste a small amount of his power, he was already shivering; he felt like death was already knocking through his window and was ready to get him as soon as possible.

He was so pissed when Leon disappeared that he could no longer get to control Zaria the way he wanted despite abandoning her and cheating behind her.

When Zaria slowly opened her eyes, she immediately noticed the room that wasn’t familiar to her. Other than that, she was already wearing a nice dress that smelled luxurious.

“Good morning, Miss. Mr. Arscott has told me to make sure you eat your breakfast and drink your herbal medicine for your fast recovery,” the housemaid said as she placed the tray in front of her on the bed at the top of the small wooden table.

Arscott? I felt like I heard that surname somewhere.

But she was grateful for the hospitality of someone named Arscott, who let her into his place and even took care of her. She wasn’t expecting it, despite the things that she had been through.

After eating her breakfast and drinking her medicine, she decided to come out of the room and go outside for some fresh air. She was so shocked at how big the place was from the outside that she could hardly remember how she got into it.

“You’re awake,” a voice suddenly echoed behind her.

She glanced at the back and saw the man who was so familiar to her that her eyes widened, knowing she had familiarized herself with him.

"You..." she gasped, just looking at his green eyes. It was the same eyes that made her feel so many things that night, the same eyes that let her forget all of the pain she was feeling then.

She can’t help but blush as memories of what happened between them slowly filled her mind.

“You should be resting. Are you okay?”

Zaria was so stunned that she couldn’t take her eyes off his face. She could hardly remember his face on that night, but looking at him now, in broad daylight, while the string of lights is kissing his face, he seems glowing. A beast in the middle of paradise dressed like a daydream when he felt like a nightmare.

Thick lashes, green, intense green eyes. Pointed nose. Angular jaw. Disheveled hair. He was the kind of man any woman would sleep with because you knew he would do you hard and good just by looking at his physique.

“I…uh…am okay,” she said, clearing her throat when she realized that she seemed to be drooling.

“You can stay here whenever you want. This is your new home now. You are safer here. My pack could protect you from the harm,” Leon said.

Zaria blinked twice, as she could not fully digest what he just offered. She was not used to the treatment since she knew that she was an omega now and her father was no longer with her. To everyone’s eyes, she was just a lowly werewolf who had nothing, not even a wolf.

“I appreciate your help, and I owe you for that, but... I am not fit to stay in your pack. Can you let me go?”

“Your bruises and your wounds say you are in great danger. Aside from that, my pack is willing to welcome you in. This is going to be your new home. You can start a new life here, away from those people who hurt you.”

Zaria’s shoulder loosened as she suddenly remembered why she was in his place. There was a threat chasing after her. And she knew that there was no one waiting for her anymore. The only family she had—her fiancé—chose to betray her with her best friend, who even had beaten her up.

Thinking about the misfortune she has and the fact that she was abandoned by Lucius himself, she would only be bullied in the town for no longer being the fiancée of Lucius, and she doesn’t want to live like a poor rat as well.

So, she agreed to Leon’s offer as Leon brought her to the pack to introduce her, and she was welcomed warmly.

“Treat her like she was part of us from now on,” Leon said, to which everyone nodded, looking at Zaria with pure curiosity.

In the middle of the introduction, a woman showed up, dressed in a white winter coat with her uptight ponytail hair and a hostile demeanor.

“Elayne,” Leon called.

The beautiful woman walked toward Leon and gave him a peck on the cheek as she side-eyed Zaria, who was standing next to him with those cold eyes.

“Who is she?" She asked; her voice sounded so cold. Zaria could feel the animosity coming from the woman but who was she to judge?

“This is Zaria Lopez. She is part of the pack from now on,” Leon introduced.

Zaria smiled a little at Elayne, who looked at her from head to foot. Zaria could feel that she didn’t like her.

“I am Elayne Collins. Leon Arscott’s fiancée. Nice to meet you,” she said, smiling a little but with no hint of affection in her words.

4

The way Elayne uttered those words to Zaria carried an undertone that felt deliberately intimidating, sending a subtle chill down Zaria's spine.

Zaria doesn’t know what to feel about meeting the fiancée of Leon Arscott but one thing is for sure: it made her remember the bitter taste of seeing her fiancé sleeping with her best friend.

She felt a sense of discontent about the situation, finding herself thrust into a scenario she hated. Despite reassuring herself that she knew how to set her boundaries with Leon, she still hated this situation.

"It’s nice to meet you too," she greeted back, summoning every ounce of self-control that she had. Elayne didn't offer any further words and left with Leon after mentioning she needed to discuss something important with him.

Choosing to push aside other thoughts that nagged at her, Zaria focused on the warm welcome from the pack. She immersed herself in learning about their daily lives, gaining insights into their routines, and learning everything she needed to know for her to survive.

She’s technically alone now. No wolf. No family. Just a pack she was trying to fit herself into.

“We’ll teach you how to hunt too," said the woman named Chin, who’s always by her side to guide her.

Zaria was a bit nervous that they could smell her scent for being an omega, and she would be mocked by it again especially since they would not smell her wolf since she doesn’t have one. Though no one was complaining, like she didn’t smell anything, she was always wondering if she really had a small amount of werewolf in her or nothing at all.

It was a burden for her knowing that the Lopez’s are well-known werewolves for being so powerful and having an immense power that could rule an entire pack. They were designed for war, like a weapon that couldn’t be easily killed.

But even with her bloodline, she felt useless.

"Are you close with Leon?" Chin inquired as she guided Zaria to her new space, generously provided by Leon himself.

“Uh…”

“This is the first time he is making friends. You're not his secret lover, right? Because if you were, Elayne would probably break your neck,” Chin warned, and Zaria immediately shook her head.

“No. He’s just being nice to me."

Chin laughed. “Nice? Leon is being nice. That’s so unusual. Leon was never nice, especially to an outsider,"

Zaria didn't know how to react, but she didn't want to fuel any rumors about her and Leon. Chin opened the room and toured her around when, in the middle of it, another woman entered—the unmistakable figure of Leon's fiancée, with rage in her eyes.

“Leave us alone for a while,” Elayne ordered Chin, keeping her eyes fixed on Zaria.

Chin nodded and exited the living room, heading to the kitchen instead.

Zaria could feel the heavy tension between them and the wrath Elayne harbored for her.

“I don’t know what kind of audacity you possess, but latching onto my fiancé to use him—you really have some nerve, huh?" Elayne smirked, casting her a disdainful gaze from head to foot. Her expression dripped with bitterness and hatred, something that was all too familiar to Zaria.

“I have no intention of using him. I am not like that," Zaria defended.

“You have no intention? And yet, what’s this? You're in his pack, and he has provided you with your own place to stay. Do you think you're special? You’ve got no shame, huh?"

Zaria was at a loss for words. Elayne moved closer, inspecting her as if ready to shatter her confidence.

“The funniest thing is, you’ve got no wolf in you. I can't detect even the tiniest bit of it. The only thing I smell on you is your disgusting stench, trying to worm your way into my fiancé's arms. You are a weakling. Is that why you’ve pulled Leon to your side because you're not useful on your own?”

Zaria gritted her teeth, glaring at Elayne with pure wrath. However, Elayne's hand struck her cheek forcefully, causing her to lose her balance from the impact.

Elayne smirked and regarded her as if she were nothing more than a servant.

“From now on, know your place here. You are just a servant useful for the dirty tasks. Stay in the shadows and never attempt to rise to the top, or I will bury you alive."

Zaria lifted her head as she glared at Elayne, who had just turned her back. Chin, who was hiding at the door, ran to Zaria and helped her stand as she looked at her pitifully.

“I told you... Elayne would be coming after you if you involved yourself with Leon."

Zaria maintained her silence, unwilling to escalate the situation further and avoiding any conflicts with Elayne, who kept a watchful eye on her. Despite her reluctance, she couldn't deny the difficulty of the personal tasks Elayne had assigned to her.

Elayne knowing that she doesn't have a wolf makes her realize that everyone in this pack probably knows about it too. And somehow, she felt helpless but she didn't want to show it as well.

That night, Leon unexpectedly appeared before her as she was closing the window.

“You haven’t gone to bed yet. I’m just here to check on you,” Leon said, blending seamlessly with the night.

"I'm just about to go to sleep,” she replied, tearing her eyes away. She could feel the rapid beating of her heart, aggravated by Leon's flawless appearance. Why does he have to be this ethereal? He looked so perfect, so surreal that Zaria couldn’t help but feel captivated by his presence.

And yet she knew she needed to distance herself from him.

“Do you like your place? I feel like you’re having a hard time adjusting. I could put you somewhere more comfortable."

“There’s no need for that. I’m fine being there. It’s okay,” she interjected, recalling the pain from Elayne's slap.

Leon licked his lips and moved closer. Every time he neared her, she felt the same heat from that night, an intensity that was challenging to handle. His face, a man of indescribable beauty, left her breathless each time their eyes locked.

‘Zaria, stop yourself. He has someone. You shouldn’t be like that,’ She continuously told to herself.

“Zaria,” he called meaningfully, stopping in front of her and lifting her chin.

Zaria met his gaze, her chest pounding. As Leon leaned in, seemingly for a kiss, she instinctively avoided it just before his lips could touch hers.

"What happened between us that night was a one-night stand. I don’t want a deep relationship with you, and I hope you distance yourself from me," he declared while she looked away.

‘I’m sorry but I need to do this. This is the right thing to do, Leon,’ she tried convincing herself.

5

Leon was taken aback by Zaria's avoidance and her deliberate step back as if she sought to maintain a distance from him. He clenched his fist, nodding with a hint of rage in his eyes. Despite the simmering anger, he made an effort to control it, not wanting to frighten her.

“Alright. Let’s maintain it this way as you like,” he said with finality before disappearing into her room like an air that couldn’t be traced by her eyes.

Sighing, Zaria reflected on Elayne’s earlier confrontation. She wanted to avoid any conflict with Elayne, recognizing she had no right to behave as if she were Leon's fiancée.

In reality, what happened between them was akin to a sin, something she acknowledged. Elayne had every right to be angry, and Zaria knew the situation would escalate if Elayne discovered their one-night stand as well.

Leon visiting her at night just showed that he was an asshole who doesn’t care about his fiancée, which made her remember what Lucius did to her.

In the following days, Zaria, though feeling Leon's coldness, found relief in the clear boundary he had drawn between them. Despite wishing for a warmer treatment, she accepted the need for their distance.

“This is what you wanted, Zaria. This is the right thing to do,” she kept on telling herself even though something on her mind kept bugging her. She just doesn’t understand her own emotions. One moment, she wanted Leon to stay away from her and then after, she wanted to just grab him and feel his touch. It feels like she’s going crazy.

As days passed, Zaria observed Leon avoiding her in the camp, treating her as if they were strangers. While she yearned for a more friendly interaction, she understood the cold treatment was in their best interest.

“You didn’t clean this area enough,” Elayne complained when she suddenly showed up in the area where Zaria was in charge of cleaning. There were times like that when Elayne would suddenly appear.

“Because you step on it,” Zaria retorted, irritating Elayne.

“You bitch,” Elayne snapped, grabbing Zaria's arm and forcefully pulling her up until their faces were at the same level. Zaria felt the burning sensation on her skin, struggling to fight back due to her obvious physical weakness.

“How dare you speak to me like we are on the same level? Always remember that if there was someone in the lowest of lows, it was you. You are nothing compared to me, so don’t ever act so superior,” Elayne declared, pushing her, causing Zaria to slam into the floor, scratching her knee.

Elayne left, a proud smile adorning her face, leaving Zaria hissing on the ground as she watched Elayne walk away.

It wasn’t the first time Elayne had bullied her because she would always find a way to torment Zaria’s life in the camp to make her feel that she was nothing compared to her.

She was given no choice but to just endure it because if she went back to her place, Arina would do the same thing as well, or it might be worse than what Elayne was doing to her.

“What is it?” Leon questioned one of the omegas in the pack he had tasked with discreetly keeping an eye on Zaria. Something about her behavior that night had raised concerns for him. He knew something was wrong.

The omega looked at him with fearful eyes, seemingly hesitant to speak.

“Don’t make me ask twice,” Leon's voice thundered in the room, causing the omega to fall to their knees, trembling from the intensity of his power.

“It was Luna Elayne; she was bullying Miss Zaria, treating her as a servant, and even physically hurting her,” the omega finally revealed, her voice shaking in so much fear.

The moment those words reached Leon's ears, his eyes flickered, and he struggled to maintain control. The omega fled for safety as Leon closed his eyes, tilting his head to regain composure. Slowly, he stood by his chair and made his way outside.

"Oh, there you are, Leon! I’ve prepared dinner for the both of us—,”

“You’re bullying Zaria?" He cut Elayne off. The coldness in his voice was intense, and everyone who heard him knew he was angry.

The smile on Elayne’s lips faded as she was about to walk toward him and kiss him on the cheek, but he was welcomed by his coldness.

"What do you mean, Leon?" She tried to laugh it off.

Fuck. Did that bitch tell me off? How dare she! I will make sure to punish her for that!

“I knew what you were doing to her, Elayne. You’ve crossed the boundary the moment you laid your fingers on her,” he said dangerously, which made Elayne step backward as she felt his wrath.

Elayne had never seen Leon so enraged by something so small, which seemed like a big deal to him as his eyes gleamed warningly.

“Why do you care about that woman, Leon?" She asked disappointingly. She was hurt. She was his fiancée and yet the way he treated Zaria was even better than the way he treated her. And that only fuels her anger for that lowly omega.

“Because she’s my woman, Elayne,” he said thunderously.

Elayne’s eyes widened. She was so shocked that she froze after hearing it from his mouth.

“But I am your fiancée, Leon."

“We both know what kind of set-up we have, Elayne. I have no plans on marrying you at all.”

“You are marrying me because you are bound to marry me! We are bound to marry each other!" She screamed as she felt like she was losing her mind.

“Have you forgotten our set-up, Elayne? Where do you stand in my life? Your pack was the one who asked for my help, which I could withdraw anytime. You are nothing to me but a woman who needed my help to save you from your own mess. So, let me make it clear to you. If you touch her again, I will make you remember how you crawled for help from me.”

Elayne fell into a seething silence, her hands clenched and her mind consumed by rage as she grappled with the revelation. The evidence pointed not just to Leon favoring Zaria but possibly being in love with her.

Leon left her, leaving Elayne on the verge of tears. Anger surged within her, and her fists tightened.

This wasn't how things were supposed to unfold. She was meant to marry Leon, and the thought of an alternative outcome filled her with dread. The fear of being ridiculed and pitied by others loomed over her.

Taking a deep breath, she attempted to rein in her anger before summoning one of the omegas loyal to her.

“Luna Elayne,” the omega greeted, bowing respectfully. When she became Leon’s fiancée, some of the omegas from her pack merged with Leon’s and it was done mainly because she needed someone to be loyal to her.

Elayne regarded the omega with coldness, her hands still trembling with anger. Carl, the omega, could see that their Luna was angry, and in times like this, he knew that bad things could happen.

‘I don’t care if Leon supports her. I will ruin her. With no wolf to protect her, it will be easy to eliminate her,’ she thought to herself, formulating a plan.

“Gather everyone. The monthly hunting is approaching, and I need you to do something for me,” she commanded with authority.

Carl nodded and bowed, awaiting further instructions.

“Hide some of our wolves in the forest. Ensure that the woman Leon brought here won’t be able to return to the camp. Kill her and make sure she doesn’t survive,” Elayne declared, her eyes ablaze with anger. The omega, hearing her words, felt the overwhelming emotion emanating from her.

“Do it discreetly, and the Lycan King must never find out, or we are all dead,” she added, emphasizing the need for secrecy. With that, Carl left immediately to inform the other omegas of the plan.

As Elayne found herself alone, she took a deep breath and whispered to herself, “That fire blossoming between the two of you, I will make sure to extinguish it with my own coldness. I will ensure that you end up marrying me, Leon. And I don’t care if I have to eliminate that wolfless woman for that to happen,” she declared with determined resolve.

And all this time, Zaria was still unaware of the impending doom that will soon come her way.